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Alleviating Pinched Nerves: How Upper Cervical Adjustments Promote Nerve Health

3/17/2025

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Alleviating Pinched Nerves How Upper Cervical Adjustments Promote Nerve Health
A pinched nerve can cause discomfort, pain, and even loss of function, impacting daily life and mobility. Whether it manifests as tingling, numbness, or sharp pain radiating through the body, a compressed nerve can limit movement and create ongoing issues if left unaddressed.

While pain medications and physical therapy offer temporary relief, they do not always correct the root cause of nerve compression.
Upper cervical chiropractic care provides a natural, non-invasive approach to relieving pinched nerves by restoring proper spinal alignment and promoting overall nerve health.

Dr. Joey Miles at Healthy Living Spinal Care in Hickory, NC, explains how upper cervical chiropractic adjustments can alleviate nerve compression and support long-term spinal health.
​

Understanding Pinched Nerves and Their Causes


A
pinched nerve occurs when surrounding structures—such as bones, discs, or tight muscles—apply excessive pressure on a nerve. This compression disrupts nerve function, leading to pain, weakness, and other neurological symptoms.

Common causes of pinched nerves include:

  • Spinal Misalignments (Subluxations): Vertebral misalignments can press on nerves, disrupting their ability to send signals to the brain and body.
  • Herniated or Bulging Discs: When spinal discs shift out of place, they can put pressure on nearby nerves, causing pain and dysfunction.
  • Inflammation and Swelling: Injuries, poor posture, or repetitive strain can lead to inflammation that compresses nerves.
  • Muscle Tightness or Spasms: Overworked or imbalanced muscles can create excessive tension, leading to nerve irritation.

Pinched nerves can occur anywhere in the body, but
cervical (neck) and lumbar (lower back) pinched nerves are the most common. These conditions can lead to radiating pain, numbness, weakness, and discomfort in the shoulders, arms, legs, or even the hands and feet.
​

The Role of the Upper Cervical Spine in Nerve Health


The
upper cervical spine consists of the atlas (C1) and axis (C2) vertebrae, which support the skull and protect the brainstem—a critical part of the nervous system. This area plays a central role in nerve communication throughout the body.

When the upper cervical spine is misaligned, it can:

  • Create nerve compression: A misaligned atlas or axis vertebra can directly impinge on nearby nerves, leading to pinched nerve symptoms.
  • Increase spinal tension: A misaligned upper cervical spine forces the rest of the spine to compensate, leading to excessive stress and compression in the lower spine and extremities.
  • Disrupt brain-body communication: Since the brainstem regulates nervous system function, any interference in this area can lead to widespread nerve dysfunction and pain.

By restoring alignment in the
upper cervical region, chiropractic care helps reduce pressure on the nervous system, allowing nerves to function optimally and heal naturally.
​

How Upper Cervical Chiropractic Adjustments Relieve Pinched Nerves

How Upper Cervical Chiropractic Adjustments Relieve Pinched Nerves

Upper cervical chiropractic care focuses on
precise, gentle adjustments to correct misalignments and relieve nerve compression.

Here’s how these adjustments promote
nerve health and pain relief:
​

1. Reducing Pressure on the Nerves


A misaligned upper cervical spine
creates excess stress throughout the spinal column.

By
realigning the atlas and axis vertebrae, upper cervical adjustments help:

  • Decompress irritated nerves
  • Restore proper joint function
  • Reduce overall tension and discomfort

With less pressure on the nerves, pain and symptoms
gradually subside, allowing the body to heal.
​

2. Improving Nervous System Communication


The
brainstem is the body's command center for nervous system communication. When misalignments affect this region, signals between the brain and body become distorted or blocked.
​
Upper cervical chiropractic care:

  • Removes nerve interference, allowing clear communication between the brain and body
  • Enhances nerve signal transmission, improving function in affected areas
  • Supports quicker healing for compressed nerves

By addressing these underlying issues, upper cervical chiropractic care provides
long-term relief from pinched nerve symptoms.
​

3. Reducing Inflammation and Enhancing Circulation


Chronic
inflammation around a pinched nerve can prolong pain and delay healing.

​Upper cervical adjustments:

  • Help regulate the body's inflammatory response
  • Improve blood flow to affected nerves, supplying oxygen and nutrients essential for healing
  • Reduce swelling around compressed nerves

As inflammation decreases, nerve function improves, and symptoms
gradually fade.
​

4. Promoting Spinal Alignment and Postural Balance


Poor posture and
misalignments in the upper spine create stress throughout the body, leading to compensatory imbalances that increase the risk of pinched nerves.

Upper cervical chiropractic care:

  • Encourages proper spinal alignment, reducing excess strain on nerves
  • Restores postural balance, preventing future nerve compression
  • Improves flexibility and mobility, decreasing the likelihood of nerve irritation

With
better alignment, the body can function more efficiently, and nerve-related symptoms diminish over time.
​

Benefits of Upper Cervical Chiropractic Care for Nerve Health


Patients seeking relief from pinched nerves often experience a range of benefits with upper cervical chiropractic care, including:

  • Pain relief without medications
  • Restored nerve function and sensation
  • Reduced numbness, tingling, and weakness
  • Improved spinal mobility and flexibility
  • Long-term prevention of nerve-related conditions

By addressing nerve compression at its source, upper cervical chiropractic care helps patients return to normal activities pain-free.
​

Scientific Support for Chiropractic Care and Nerve Function


Research supports the
effectiveness of chiropractic adjustments in relieving nerve compression and promoting healing:

  • A study published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics found that chiropractic care effectively reduced symptoms of nerve compression in the neck and lower back, improving mobility and quality of life.
  • Another study in The Journal of Chiropractic Medicine demonstrated that patients with cervical nerve irritation experienced significant relief after upper cervical chiropractic adjustments.
These findings highlight the importance of spinal alignment in maintaining optimal nerve health and function.
​

Practical Tips for Supporting Nerve Health


In addition to
upper cervical chiropractic care, adopting healthy habits can prevent nerve compression and improve recovery:

  1. Maintain Good Posture: Avoid slouching and keep your head aligned with your spine.
  2. Stretch Regularly: Gentle stretching can relieve muscle tension and prevent stiffness.
  3. Stay Active: Low-impact activities, such as walking and swimming, support nerve function.
  4. Hydrate and Eat Anti-Inflammatory Foods: Proper hydration and a nutrient-rich diet help reduce inflammation and promote healing.
​

Community Impact


Healthy Living Spinal Care proudly serves Hickory, Lenoir, Conover, Lincolnton, and Statesville, NC
, providing expert upper cervical chiropractic care for nerve-related conditions. Dr. Joey Miles helps patients find lasting relief from pinched nerves and regain their quality of life.
​

A Natural Path to Nerve Health


For those struggling with the
pain and discomfort of pinched nerves, upper cervical chiropractic care offers a natural, non-invasive solution. By correcting spinal misalignments, reducing nerve interference, and promoting circulation, chiropractic adjustments help relieve pain and restore function.

If you’re looking for long-term relief from nerve compression, upper cervical chiropractic care may be the key to a healthier, pain-free life.
​

Medical Disclaimer:


​This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before beginning any new treatment or therapy. Chiropractic care is not a replacement for medical care or treatment for serious conditions.
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How To Manage A Pinched Nerve With A Chiropractor for Migraines In Hickory

Neck pain in Hickory, or soreness in other parts of your body, can come from a variety of different sources. These range from arthritis to tendonitis to torn cartilages in your joints. This also doesn’t include the variety of other conditions that have back pain in Hickory as a common symptom. One common such example is getting a pinched nerve in the upper part of the spine, also known as cervical radiculopathy. This generally occurs when bone spurs start to appear around the discs in the spine. When everything is working well, the discs should absorb the shocks between each individual vertebra. A bone spur is a small bit of bone that is formed as we age and discs get weaker. When things go properly, bone spurs support the vertebrae as they get weaker, However, in some cases, those spurs press on nerve roots, leading to other symptoms.
 
Symptoms of Pinched Nerves
How do you tell that the soreness you are dealing with stems from a pinched nerve? No matter what area it’s in, you’re going to need to have an in-depth exam of the affected area to be absolutely certain. As an example, a pinched nerve is generally localized in one area. Another thing to note is that these are normally very sharp soreness. By comparison, if you simply overexerted a muscle, the sensation would likely be a duller strain. In some cases, a pinch may never have any other symptoms. Some people feel a sensation of pins and needles in a certain area. Others may feel numbness or weakness when trying to lift something.
 
Depending on where you feel your symptoms and the exact nature of them, your medical professional may be able to determine if it is a pinched nerve or not quite quickly. Generally, though, an exam will still be administered. These start by testing sensitivity, strength, and reflexes. You may be told to do different stretches and movements to determine what leads to symptoms and what relieves them. You’ll also likely need to provide details about your pain. For example, be sure to have a record of when the pain started, and any activities that you do that cause soreness to flare up. If it is soothed by certain activities, be sure to mention those as well. Your doctor might also ask if you have had other health changes or recently increased your physical activities. If the spinal nerves are impacted, they can manifest in surprising ways, like bladder and bowel issues.
 
Say that your standard exam isn’t enough to get to the root of these issues. Your doctor may instead decide to do imaging tests to figure out what’s causing the pinched nerve and where it is. This is mostly administered through X-rays or MRI scans. An X-ray can showcase details going on with your bones, but won’t show your discs and nerves. With this said, they can be useful for determining if you have narrow vertebrae or bone spurs. An MRI is able to do more, showing how healthy your nerves and discs are in detail. In some cases, an X-ray may be done to a certain area to check for bone injury. Lastly, if the issue is due to injured ligaments or tendons, an ultrasound may be needed.
 
Working With Your Fibromyalgia Chiropractor In Hickory
So, if you suspect that a pinched nerve is behind your soreness, or know it for a fact, what can you do? One asset that you have is doing a posture adjustment. To start, try and find a position that helps you feel comfortable with your soreness. After this, you can adapt your lifestyle and living spaces to help you stay in that posture as much as possible. For a lot of people, doing this in the workplace is a major source of problems. One way to get around this is by using a standing workplace. These help prevent pinched nerves, treat existing ones, and just lower overall soreness. You can either ask the HR department to modify your existing space or buy your own.
 
Another thing to note is that whenever you are dealing with a pinched nerve, you want to make sure that you are as rested as possible, along with lowering any activity that leads to soreness. Try and keep the cycle of rest going until your symptoms subside. After this, you can begin to start testing things together. For certain types of issues, like carpal tunnel syndrome, you may be able to use a splint to protect your wrist.
 
You have a lot of options that you can do at home to help lower soreness from pinched nerves. For example, a gentle stretch can help provide relief, but you don’t want to overextend yourself. Focus on smaller movements, and if you find yourself getting sore again, try and do something less intensive. Think about applying heat to your muscles in the affected area to help them loosen. Heat also supports healing by promoting blood flow. Generally, you want to apply it for 10-15 minutes at a time. You can also do ice instead if you prefer. Simply get some ice, wrap it in a washcloth, and apply it to the area for 10-15 minutes as well.
 
If you want additional help, consider looking into NSAIDs. These can help quite a bit with mild soreness and can be brought over the counter. With that said, just make sure that you read and stick to the recommended dosage. These aren’t going to be able to provide total coverage as well. If you find that you’re dealing with consistent, extreme, or repeated soreness, reach out to a medical professional. On top of performing the exams before, they may be able to provide a prescription for more powerful medication. They may also recommend a specialist like a chiropractor in Hickory. This will help you get the treatment you need.

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